'The communication of ideas is important'

EFT celebrates literary figures of Sindh in award ceremony

KARACHI: All religions fall in the category of social sciences, which is a subject prone to change.

This was stated by renowned short story writer and Sufi mystic Amar Jaleel during an award distribution ceremony, 'Literature Awards 2012-2016', on Saturday that was followed by an evening with Amar Jaleel in 'Neth Goonge Galhayo [Thus spake the dumb]'.



The award distribution ceremony was organised by the Endowment Fund Trust for Preservation of the Heritage of Sindh at the National Museum auditorium. The award for creative literature in Sindhi for poetry was given to Imdad Hussaini for his book, 'Kirni Jahiri Pal', and Fazlullah Qureshi for his book, 'Kujh Yaadoon Kujh Gaalhyoon'.

Ustaad Amir Ali was given an award for his research work in Sindhi on Shah Jo Raag and Dr Fahmida Hussain on Adyoon Aaun Anjaan on research.

In the category for English literature, Salahuddin Qureshi received a posthumous award on a book, titled, 'Sindhi: A time capsule of heritage' and Nasir Aijaz on his book, 'Hur: The Freedom Fighter'.



This was followed by a life achievement award, which was presented to Jaleel for his contribution to literature.

The award ceremony was followed by an evening with Jaleel who read his humorous poem, 'Neth Goonge Galhayo [Thus spake the dumb]' in his unique style. He read the poem in three different languages of Sindhi, Urdu and English for the understanding of the attendees.

According to Jaleel, Sufism comes from within as no one can teach anyone Sufism. However, reading books penned down by Sufi mystics can help in understanding the phenomenon, believed Jaleel.



Jaleel shared that the first training he had received as a child was about the concept of peaceful coexistence, which helps him in his life to date. "God is neither a property of anyone nor can a monopoly of any one religion be created on Him," said Jaleel.

"Every religion has given a definition of God from time immemorial," he said. However, according to Jaleel, there is only one God, who we need to search for according to whatever knowledge we have.

"I write because I just cannot do anything else," he said, adding that communication of ideas is important whereas the selection of language is of secondary importance, which is the reason he writes in Sindhi, Urdu and English.

"I wish we can love Sindh the way he has loved Sindh," said Karachi Literature Festival founder Asif Farukhi, while paying tribute to Jaleel.